Lincolnshire Reform MP Richard Tice demands urgent Parliament recall as others remain silent
Boston and Skegness Reform MP Richard Tice has called for Parliament to be recalled amid the rioting and violence across the country.
Other county MPs, however, have largely stayed silent on social media.
Mr Tice, elected MP in July, reshared his party leader Nigel Farage’s post on X (formerly Twitter), condemning “the riots and violence that must be stopped by our brave police officers”.
“We must start a proper debate about mass immigration and two-tier policing that gives confidence to millions of concerned citizens.”
Disorder and riots have been taking place over the past six days following the death of three girls in a stabbing in Southport.
False claims circulated online, suggesting the suspect was an asylum seeker or arrived by boat.
A court later lifted the anonymity usually given to young offenders, revealing that the suspect was Axel Rudubana, 17, born in Cardiff to parents from Rwanda, a heavily Christian country.
The violence was fuelled by misinformation spread by far-right figures like Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate.
Mr Farage and others have also faced criticism from the left that social media posts he put out have fanned the flames.
In his statement today, Mr Farage finally condemned the violence that has hit several cities nationwide and seen buildings targeted, including mosques, police stations, libraries, and high street businesses.
“The levels of intimidation and threat to life have no place in a functioning democracy,” he said.
“That so many police officers have been injured trying to keep the peace is shocking, and we should not discount the use of the army if the situation were to deteriorate further.”
However, he criticised 'two-tier' policing, suggesting it differed from the handling of Black Lives Matter protests.
Mr Tice himself has been fairly active on X regarding the riots, even hitting out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer after he labelled the violent rioters as mainly being “far-right thugs”.
Lincolnshire MPs have largely stayed silent on social media.
Gainsborough’s Edward Leigh’s (Con) latest tweet on July 25 put forward his support for Newark MP Robert Jenrick as the new leader of the party, replacing Rishi Sunak.
Fellow Tory and Sleaford MP Dr Caroline Johnson’s most recent interactions were two retweets of fellow MP Andrew Griffiths, with her most recent post also being her support for Mr Jenrick.
Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins’ latest tweet, posted today (Monday), was a criticism of Labour for stopping new hospitals, winter fuel payments, and social charging reform and training in care.
Similar to Edward and Caroline, Grantham and Bourne MP Gareth Davies’ latest post on Sunday backed Mr Jenrick.
Labour’s only Lincolnshire MP Hamish Falconer’s latest tweet on August 3 was about a run along the West Common, with reposts of Karen Lee, the Foreign Office, and David Lammy.
None of the MPs have mentioned the riots on their social media accounts.
Spalding and the Deepings MP John Hayes does not have a social media account but has been asked for his view.
Former Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman criticised social media's influence on the far right and blamed government inaction on immigration.
His latest post on X said: “When the EDL hijacked marches in Skegness, there was huge, noisy rage from sympathisers.
“I chose to call them far-right and to emphasise that being concerned about immigration is normal. The vast majority of constituents were quietly outraged by extremism.”
Former Lincoln Labour MP Karen Lee has also been actively promoting positive messages from those against the violent disorder taking place across the country.
On Sunday, she posted: “A few weeks ago our country made a democratic choice for change in who runs our country.
“Now we’re seeing far-right thugs rioting, looting, and now committing arson.
“I’m not clear how this is meant to be ‘patriotism’? Looks more like organised crime and racism to me.”
Elsewhere, organisations including the University of Lincoln have posted supportive messages and offered safe spaces for those who feel in danger due to the recent riots.
The university posted: “The University welcomes staff and students from many countries; we remain united in the defence of our shared values as one community of diverse nationalities, faiths, and cultures.
“We are proud of our inclusive and open environment at Lincoln and take a zero-tolerance approach to racism in all its forms.”
Following a Cobra meeting today, Sir Keir said police would have access to a "standing army of specialist officers".
"This is not protest - it is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities."
Asked about calls to recall Parliament, Sir Keir said his focus is on making sure "our streets are safe".
Responding to the accusations of "two-tier policing", Sir Keir said: "There is no two-tier policing. There is policing without fear or favour, exactly as it should be. Exactly as I would expect and require. So that is a non-issue."
